Fuchstanz - Fox Dance

Poem by an unknown author. Kurrentschrift calligraphy and colored pencil drawing on handcrafted Birmingham ink background. Framed with UV-filtering glass and an air spacer, 9 x 12 inches. $395. Available at the Octagon Shop, Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, Iowa.

This poem has been historically associated with the Fuchstanz (Fox Dance) pass in the Taunus mountain range in Hesse, central Germany. I have depicted its first verse:

Fuchstanz

Alljährlich, am ersten des Maien,
wenn neu die Natur ist erwacht,
wenn alle Menschen sich freuen
der herrlichen Frühlingspracht,
dann spielen hier Elfen die Geigen,
Waldvögelchen singen ihr Lied,
da tanzen die Füchse den Reigen,
jedoch nur, wenn niemand es sieht.

My translation:

Fox Dance

Each year on the First of May,
when Nature newly wakes,
when people all are gladdened
by the splendid magnificence of Spring,
then the Elves play here their fiddles,
forest birds sing their song,
then dance the Foxes their rounds,
- so long as nobody sees.